Everything was set for Ronald Araújo to return to the team against Rayo Vallecano after his injury against Sevilla. But the Uruguayan center-back stayed on the bench.
Hansi Flick preferred his favorite pair: Cubarsí-Íñigo Martínez. Meanwhile, he placed another center-back who has stolen his heart: Eric García.
Araújo Already Knows He's Surplus at Barça
With Christiansen in the wings, Ronald Araújo is aware that he's surplus at Barça. Meanwhile, he continues negotiating with Juventus to make his transfer effective this summer.
Araújo renewed a few weeks ago with FC Barcelona until 2031. The agreement was limited to a salary increase for this season, with the player accepting in return a profitable transfer for Barça.
In 2018, Barça paid Boston River from Uruguay 1.5 million plus 5 in variables. Not only is it amortized financially, but his departure would only leave benefits for financial fair play.
Barça has set his release clause at 65 million euros during the first ten days of the summer market. Afterward, it would return to 1 billion, although this figure is fictitious. Laporta would wrap Araújo in gift paper for 50 million.
Hansi Flick Has Been Honest with Him
Meanwhile, the player has his agent negotiating with Juventus, who already wanted to incorporate him in the winter market, to continue his career in Turin dressed in bianconero.
Hansi Flick has been sincere with him, he has told him clearly. He values his virtues, but right now he is the fourth center-back in his defense. Take it or leave it.
And Araújo will leave it. He wanted to wait until summer because his dream is to stay at Barça, but he won't stay if his future consists of sitting on the bench.
Flick has made it clear to him that the starting center-backs are Cubarsí and Íñigo Martínez. Then Eric García. And then him and Christiansen.
Why Hansi Flick Doesn't Like Him
Flick needs continuity in the center-back position, and Araújo can't provide it due to his fragility and tendency to get injured.
Moreover, Flick needs to make room for Jonathan Tah. He is the German center-back from Bayer Leverkusen that Deco has already signed for the next season at zero cost.
Bayern has given up on acquiring his services. Previously, the player rejected an offer from Real Madrid.
Tah is the future and Araújo is already starting to be the past at FC Barcelona. Flick made it very clear to him against Rayo.